There are many multiple uses for vaseline from preventing cuts during a boxing match to protect the skin from drying up etc etc. But you can also make a cheap and very effective fire starter. Beside the fact that this could be helpful during a SHTF event these make a very good and easy to light fire starter, much better than some of the “shit to start your barbecue grill easier” type of fire starters.

3. Cotton balls. (for make up or other uses, just make sure its 100% cotton)

equipment:

1.A bowl to put hot water into where you would place another jar into to melt the vaseline.

2. A jar to melt the vaseline in.

3. Chopsticks or any other device that would allow you to soak the cotton while keeping your hands clean.

Method:

1. Melt the vaseline by putting it into the jar and put the jar into an another bowl containing hot water. Now theoretically you could use a pan and melt the vaseline directly , however you have to avoid boiling it and it could cause a mess not to mention we are making fire starters so safety first! (or if you are a redneck, safety third!). By using hot water to melt the vaseline much like you would melt chocolate for baking its safer and easier, it just takes a bit longer but you can wait. – See Figure 1 .

2. Dipp the cotton ball into the melted vaseline. make sure you soak up the vaseline into the cotton ball and not only on the surface of the cotton ball. – See Figure 2.

3.Place the dipped cotton ball into the empty tea candle cup. Theoretically you do not need to do this but it makes handling the cotton balls easier. Remember, use a cup to easily handle balls. (some of you will get the joke) ,After the vaseline has cooled down a bit if you put the container upside down on a flat surface it will even out the the top to give a nice flat top.

How to use them :

1. Just fluff up the middle to create a wick to start the fire. -See Figure 3

2. Once it starts burning a little breeze will not put out the fire – See Figure 4.

After experimenting , I extinguished the pod after the first 5 minutes but the pod only burned a fraction of the top layers , from the results I can say that it will burn for a very long time. Enough to get your barbecue or camp fire going I think , if you can’t get your campfire or barbecue going while the pod burns you need to up your fire starting skills. Next time I’ll try to see if there is enough heat to boil water or actually cook something.